NTSB SEA07CA139 — 2007-05-29 · Torrance, California, United States

Current FAA registration · N935M

Make / Model: HUGHES HELICOPTERS INC HUGHES 369D
Engine: ALLISON 250-C20 SER (420 hp)
Seats / Engines: 4 seats · 1 engine
Last airworthiness date: 19990212
ADS-B equipped: Yes — Mode-S ACF94F

Source: FAA Aircraft Registry (releasable master file).

Aircraft involved

N935M Hughes 369D None

Probable cause & findings

The pilot's loss of helicopter control while maneuvering at low altitude, which resulted in a hard landing. The wind gusts were a contributing factor.

Factual narrative

The pilot stated that he intended to practice autorotations and hovering at the airport. Upon arriving at the airport practice area, he began 360-degree hovers. During one of the hovers, he lost control of the helicopter and it landed hard. Wind gusts were reported at the time of the accident which the pilot thought contributed to the loss of helicopter control. During the hard landing, the skids split and the tail boom was bent. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. The pilot stated that he intended to practice autorotations and hovering at the airport. Upon arriving at the airport practice area, he began 360-degree hovers. During one of the hovers, he lost control of the helicopter and it landed hard. Wind gusts were reported at the time of the accident which the pilot thought contributed to the loss of helicopter control. During the hard landing, the skids split and the tail boom was bent. The pilot reported no mechanical malfunctions. Source: NTSB Aviation Accident Database (Pre-2008 Archive) Retrieved: 2026-02-12

Verbatim from NTSB's published report. Source file NTSB_2007_SEA07CA139.txt. Findings + structured fields enriched from FAA avall.mdb. Full investigation docket on data.ntsb.gov ↗.

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